Angiographic Variation of the Internal Carotid Artery and its Branches in Horses.
Authors: Khairuddin Nurul H, Sullivan Martin, Pollock Patrick J
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Internal Carotid Artery Variation in Horses Understanding the precise vascular anatomy of the equine head and neck is crucial for interventional procedures, particularly arterial occlusion techniques used to manage life-threatening guttural pouch mycosis. Khairuddin and colleagues examined 50 cadaver specimens using conventional and rotational angiography (verified with arterial latex casts) to characterise anatomical variation in the internal carotid artery (ICA) and its branches. Four distinct anatomical patterns emerged: a common trunk origin of the ICA and occipital artery; aberrant ICA branches connecting to the basilar artery; non-anastomosing aberrant branches; and aberrant branches giving rise to multiple satellite vessels, sometimes linking with the ipsilateral occipital artery. The significant anatomical heterogeneity documented across this population indicates that rotational angiography offers superior visualisation of vascular anomalies compared to conventional techniques, directly informing safer and more effective strategies for arterial occlusion in guttural pouch mycosis cases. Clinicians planning endovascular intervention should recognise that individual variation may necessitate modified approaches to vessel identification and occlusion, making detailed pre-operative imaging essential to prevent inadvertent vascular complications.
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Practical Takeaways
- •When planning endovascular treatment for guttural pouch mycosis, be aware that carotid artery anatomy varies considerably between horses—imaging must be individualized rather than assumed
- •Rotational angiography should be used pre-treatment to map aberrant branches and collateral pathways, improving safety and efficacy of arterial occlusion
- •Understanding normal anatomical variation reduces risk of inadvertent vascular injury during guttural pouch procedures
Key Findings
- •Four distinct patterns of internal carotid artery anatomical variation identified in equine cadavers
- •Rotational angiography superior to conventional angiography for detecting ICA anatomical variants
- •Aberrant branches of ICA identified in significant proportion of specimens with potential vascular connections to occipital artery and basilar artery
- •Anatomical variation has direct implications for safe vascular occlusion techniques in guttural pouch mycosis treatment